The Ministry of Ecology and Environment reported a significant rise in the approval of environmental impact assessments, with 129,500 projects receiving the green light. This figure represents a 4.4 percent increase compared to the previous year, reflecting the ministry's commitment to boosting economic stability and fostering high-quality development, as stated by an official from the ministry.
Wang Zhihua, who heads the Ministry’s Department of Environmental Impact Assessment and Emission Management, announced that these projects are associated with a total planned investment of around 21.9 trillion yuan, equivalent to about $3 trillion. The ministry has implemented various measures to enhance the efficiency of its assessment and approval process, which contributed to the increase in project approvals.
Among these measures, the ministry has prioritized 500 major projects, assigning specialized personnel to facilitate their environmental impact assessments. Additionally, a cross-ministry coordination mechanism has been established, involving multiple agencies such as the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Water Resources. This collaborative approach aims to streamline assessments and foster joint efforts.
To further improve efficiency, the ministry has introduced an internal supervision mechanism to monitor each step of the assessment process. As a result, the average approval time for significant infrastructure and key industrial projects has been cut by nearly 40 percent compared to the required statutory time limits, according to Wang.
9 Comments
Habibi
This news brings hope for a better future, where infrastructure development goes hand in hand with economic growth.
ZmeeLove
The Ministry's internal supervision mechanism is assuring and ensures that the environmental impact assessments are thorough and meet the required standards.
Coccinella
Investing in green infrastructure and truly sustainable projects is a far better solution than sacrificing the environment for short-term economic gains.
Comandante
The Ministry should be prioritizing green projects and renewable energy, not just approving anything for the sake of economic growth.
Mariposa
These large-scale projects often come with hidden environmental costs. We need transparency and public consultation to avoid future problems.
Comandante
Rushed approvals are not in the best interest of the environment or the public. We need a transparent and thorough process for all projects.
Habibi
The cross-ministry coordination mechanism will ensure that various agencies are working together seamlessly on these projects, leading to better outcomes.
Bella Ciao
It's great to see the government prioritizing infrastructure development and streamlining the approval process for essential projects.
Muchacha
The ministry's statement about efficiency is concerning. Rushing approvals could lead to overlooking crucial environmental concerns.